Marqués de Riscal 1956 Reserva

Wine: Marqués de Riscal 1956 Reserva
Winery: Marqués de Riscal (Elciego, Álava)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo
ABV: 12.2% vol.

Winemaking:
Includes a small percentage of white varieties (mostly Viura) from vines traditionally planted at the head of the rows. The wine spends approximately 12 months in large tanks for fermentation and stabilization before racking. It matures for 45 months in old 225-liter American oak barrels. Continuous rackings every 3 months for the first three years to avoid filtration. Traditional fining with fresh egg whites. Bottled by hand directly from the barrel. Minimum of 5 years of bottle aging in the winery's cellars before release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Brownish-ruby color with medium depth; somewhat cloudy with very fine suspended particles and an unusual amount of sediment. Shy amber reflections with low gloss. Broad, tile-colored rim.

 

Nose: Powerful and extremely reductive, sown with violent fungal and earthy aromas (morels, forest floor, peat) that blend with mineral and iodine notes. A strange metallic-ferruginous background of blood and game. Far from unpleasant, though it carries an excess of information, moving away from the elegant, perfumed profile typical of Riscal from this era. A vigorous, defiant, and wild red, covered in ointments, aromatic herbs, wine-soaked woods, tar, and licorice, which eventually lets traces of candied and liqueur-like fruit join in. It gains notes of pastry, toasted cocoa, vanilla, and violet candy.

 

Palate: Shows little resemblance to the nose. Candied, extremely polished, concentrated, and savory. Full of fine bitter notes and the corrective acidity characteristic of Riscal reds. Well-armed and broad, leaving a trail of oak and a sensation of energy. The only drawback is the lack of unity between the nose and the palate. A "weird" wine, but no less satisfying for it.

 

Commentary:
An atypical and indomitable Riscal that surprises with its rustic vigor and complexity. While it lacks the seamless integration of more famous vintages, its character and energy are undeniable.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Average: 96